Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (2024)

Huy Vu Updated 4/1/22 Jump to Recipe

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (1)

There are so many elements when eating Korean food, especially Korean bbq, and dipping sauces are a big factor. For me, forgoing dipping sauce during KBBQ feels like there’s something missing with my meal–and it usually means I’m missing optimum flavor potential.

Learn how to make three popular Korean dipping sauces that are just as important as the meat. Luckily, these dipping sauces are super easy to make!

What are the dipping sauces at Korean BBQ?

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (2)

Let me show you three common Korean dipping sauces you might eat at your local Korean bbq at home or in a restaurant. These are definitely my favorite ones to eat. Each restaurant has its own spin on how to make each dipping sauce, but I’ve combined my favorite parts of these traditional sauces for these recipes.

Each sauce is meant to pair with various grilled meats and fresh veggies during your KBBQ meal, but they’re also eaten with other types of food too like Korean savory pancakes. But at the end of the day, each sauce is based on your preference so feel free to adjust ingredients as you go!

The three Korean BBQ dipping sauces we’ll cover are:

  • ssamjang dipping sauce
  • sesame oil, salt & pepper dipping sauce
  • brisket sauce

Ssamjang

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (3)

Ssamjang, aka wrap sauce, is a KBBQ staple. This dipping sauce is made for grilled pork belly during Korean bbq at home or the restaurant because it’s got a nice mildly spicy, savory, and nutty flavor.The two main components of ssamjang are doenjang (a fermented bean paste) and gochujang (red pepper paste), along with other ingredients like onions, garlic, sesame oil, rice syrup, and more.

Korean sesame oil dipping sauce

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (4)

This simple three-ingredient dipping sauce is anything but basic. You would think that dipping fatty pork belly or marbled brisket into more oil is an overload, but the nutty saltiness of this dipping sauce adds way more flavor on top of grilled meat.

All you need is roasted sesame oil, kosher (or sea) salt, and black pepper. Try to use a very shallow and wide dipping bowl so the sides don’t get in the way when dipping. If you use a deep bowl the salt and pepper will also be much harder to reach at the bottom, forcing you to dip way more sesame oil than intended.

Brisket sauce for Korean bbq (cho ganjang)

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (5)

For the longest time, I never knew the actual name of this dipping sauce, especially because when eating with my Korean friends, they just called it “brisket sauce.” When I finally started hosting my own KBBQ nights, I learned that its real name is cho ganjang.

It’s a slightly sweet, tangy, and savory sauce that’s made up of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, water, and other ingredients like garlic, onion, or gochugaru (chili pepper powder).

While you can most definitely eat it as a dipping sauce for savory Korean pancakes, fish cakes, and dumplings, it’s my favorite sauce for dipping grilled brisket (or really any grilled meat). While I prefer it with sliced garlic and jalapenos, you can also use sliced onions, a side of wasabi, ginger, or other ingredients to add a more savory flavor.

What is the most common dipping sauce?

One of the most popular and common Korean dipping sauces is ssamjang. This salty and slightly spicy sauce is becoming more and more popular due to chefs like David Chang, who featured his version of ssam sauce with his famous bo ssam dish. It’s also fairly common because it’s also dipping sauce for samgyupsal (Korean pork belly bbq) typically served during Korean BBQ.

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (6)

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (7)

Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce)

5 from 3 votes

Make your own ssamjang at home for your next KBBQ dinner. You'll be able to customize this nutty, savory, and mildly spicy dipping sauce by adjusting the fermented soybean sauce or spicy paste.

PRINT PIN

BY: Huy Vu

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

0 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp doenjang fermented soybean paste
  • ½ tbsp gochujang add more if you like it spicy
  • 2 tbsp chopped onion
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp rice syrup
  • 1 clove garlic chopped
  • ½ tsp sesame seeds

Equipment Used

  • knife and cutting board

  • mixing bowl

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine all the ingredients.

  • Stir to thoroghly mix. Taste and adjust based on your preference. For more saltiness, add more doenjang. For more heat, add more gochujang. For more sweetness, add more rice syrup or honey.

  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (1 serving)

Calories: 73.61kcal (4%) | Carbohydrates: 12.3g (4%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 2.28g (4%) | Saturated Fat: 0.32g (2%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.95g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.89g | Sodium: 389.52mg (17%) | Potassium: 37.75mg (1%) | Fiber: 1.02g (4%) | Sugar: 6.73g (7%) | Vitamin A: 8.34IU | Vitamin C: 2.29mg (3%) | Calcium: 14.02mg (1%) | Iron: 0.42mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce)

Amount per Serving

Calories

73.61

% Daily Value*

Fat

2.28

g

4

%

Saturated Fat

0.32

g

2

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

0.95

g

Monounsaturated Fat

0.89

g

Sodium

389.52

mg

17

%

Potassium

37.75

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

12.3

g

4

%

Sugar

6.73

g

7

%

Protein

2

g

4

%

Vitamin A

8.34

IU

%

Vitamin C

2.29

mg

3

%

Calcium

14.02

mg

1

%

Iron

0.42

mg

2

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dipping Sauces

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: kbbq, korean barbecue

Did you cook this recipe?Tag @HungryHuy or #hungryhuy–I’d love to see it!

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (11)

Sesame Oil & Salt Dipping Sauce

5 from 2 votes

This simple sesame oil sauce adds a nutty and salty flavor to any grilled meat for KBBQ.

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BY: Huy Vu

Prep: 1 minute min

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Total: 1 minute min

SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp kosher or sea salt
  • tsp black pepper

Equipment Used

  • 2 dipping bowls

Instructions

  • In each dipping bowl, add half of the sesame oil.

  • Split the salt and black pepper in half and add them to each dipping bowl and serve.

Nutrition Facts (1 serving)

Calories: 62.2kcal (3%) | Carbohydrates: 0.08g | Protein: 0.01g | Fat: 7g (11%) | Saturated Fat: 0.99g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.92g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.78g | Sodium: 1162.77mg (51%) | Potassium: 1.9mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Vitamin A: 0.69IU | Calcium: 1.27mg | Iron: 0.02mg

Nutrition Facts

Sesame Oil & Salt Dipping Sauce

Amount per Serving

Calories

62.2

% Daily Value*

Fat

7

g

11

%

Saturated Fat

0.99

g

6

%

Monounsaturated Fat

2.78

g

Sodium

1162.77

mg

51

%

Potassium

1.9

mg

%

Carbohydrates

0.08

g

%

Fiber

0.03

g

%

Protein

0.01

g

%

Vitamin A

0.69

IU

%

Calcium

1.27

mg

%

Iron

0.02

mg

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dipping Sauces

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: kbbq

Did you cook this recipe?Tag @HungryHuy or #hungryhuy–I’d love to see it!

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (14)

Cho Ganjang (Brisket Sauce)

5 from 5 votes

This sweet and salty dipping sauce is best with brisket or other non-marinated meats.

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BY: Huy Vu

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

SERVINGS: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp filtered water
  • ½ tbsp rice vinegar
  • ½ tbsp cane sugar
  • ½ clove garlic sliced thinly
  • ¼ jalapeno sliced thinly optional

Equipment Used

  • cutting board and knife

  • mason jar with lid (or mixing bowl with a whisk)

Instructions

  • In a mason jar, combine all the ingredients and cover with a lid. Shake until the sugar has dissolved. You can also do this in a bowl and use a whisk to stir until dissolved.

  • Taste and adjust based on your preference. For more salt, add more soy sauce. For more acid, add more vinegar. For more sweetness, add more sugar. If the sauce is too strong, add half a teaspoon of water and adjust as you taste. Serve immediately or place in the fridge until use.

Nutrition Facts (1 serving)

Calories: 19.3kcal (1%) | Carbohydrates: 3.86g (1%) | Protein: 1.01g (2%) | Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 503.41mg (22%) | Potassium: 26.57mg (1%) | Fiber: 0.14g (1%) | Sugar: 3.23g (4%) | Vitamin A: 18.93IU | Vitamin C: 2.31mg (3%) | Calcium: 3.86mg | Iron: 0.23mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Cho Ganjang (Brisket Sauce)

Amount per Serving

Calories

19.3

% Daily Value*

Fat

0.03

g

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

0.01

g

Sodium

503.41

mg

22

%

Potassium

26.57

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

3.86

g

1

%

Fiber

0.14

g

1

%

Sugar

3.23

g

4

%

Protein

1.01

g

2

%

Vitamin A

18.93

IU

%

Vitamin C

2.31

mg

3

%

Calcium

3.86

mg

%

Iron

0.23

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dipping Sauces

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: kbbq

Did you cook this recipe?Tag @HungryHuy or #hungryhuy–I’d love to see it!

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Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (17)

Three Easy Korean BBQ Dipping Sauce Recipes - Hungry Huy (2024)

FAQs

What dipping sauce is used for Korean barbecue? ›

Ssamjang is an essential component of Korean barbecue. It's a simple, no-cook, stir-together dipping sauce that combines the savory funk of doenjang (fermented Korean soybean paste) with the sweet heat of gochujang.

How do you use premade Korean BBQ sauce? ›

Thin down your Korean barbecue sauce with a little rice wine vinegar, you can also add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime and use as a dressing for chopped veggie salads and cold Asian noodle salads. Stir fry vegetables and your choice of protein in Korean barbecue sauce and serve over rice or noodles.

Which Korean BBQ sauce is best? ›

Ssamjang (쌈장) and the sesame oil dipping sauces are both tied for my favorite, since they pair really well with any meat. The soy based dipping sauce is a recent addition to the sauce medley just to add a little bit more salt and flavor to the KBBQ experience at home!

What is the most famous Korean sauce? ›

Gochujang sauce is most often used in Korean recipes, but its sweet, spicy umami flavor is so delicious that you'll want to drizzle it over everything! As far as flavor goes, there's nothing like gochujang sauce.

What are the three dipping sauces at Korean BBQ? ›

At a typical Korean restaurant, sauce #1 (Ssamjang) is served in a small bowl for sharing, while sauces #2 (Sesame oil, salt, and pepper sauce) and #3 (Wasabi and soy sauce) are provided individually to each person. These sauces are usually refilled for free as needed.

What are the three main Korean sauces? ›

Jangs can generally be described as fermented pastes or sauces made with soybeans. The three jangs that dominate Korean cuisine are doenjang, ganjang and gochujang.

What's the difference between BBQ sauce and Korean BBQ sauce? ›

The main difference between Korean BBQ sauce and a more traditional American BBQ sauce is going to be the base. That's because this sauce uses soy sauce as a base rather than your American tomato-style base. Because of this, it's going to be a thinner sauce with a bold savory flavor and a punch of heat.

How to tell if Korean barbecue sauce is bad? ›

If you start to notice that your BBQ sauce is thick, slimy, or clumpy, it's time to go.

Do you refrigerate Korean BBQ sauce? ›

How to Store Korean BBQ Sauce. Transfer the Korean barbecue sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for up to one month.

What makes Korean BBQ so good? ›

Korean BBQ is also known for its distinctly sweet taste, calling for ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame and oil. For the ultra-adventurous, some recipes use pear and honey for an even more sophisticated flavor profile.

What is the best cut to order at Korean BBQ? ›

10 Best Cuts Of Meat For Korean BBQ
  1. Short rib (Kalbi 소갈비) MERCURY studio/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Outside skirt steak (Ahnchangsal 안창살) ...
  3. Chicken thigh (Dalg Heobeogji 닭 허벅지) ...
  4. Pork belly (Samgyupsal-gui 삼겹살 구이) ...
  5. Pork jowl (Hangjeongsal 항정살) ...
  6. Beef brisket (Chadolbaegi 차돌박이) ...
  7. Ribeye (Deungshim 등심) ...
  8. Beef belly (Woo Samgyup 우삼겹)
Sep 7, 2023

Is bulgogi sauce the same as Korean BBQ? ›

Bulgogi sauce is considered being the BBQ sauce of Asian and Korean cuisine. It's sweet, smoky, and slightly tangy, and has a subtle spice hit thanks to the chili sauce. In many Korean restaurants, they actually serve this as a dipping sauce too!

What is the mother sauce of Korea? ›

In Korean cooking, there are three mother sauces you must be familiar with: ganjang (soy sauce), gochujang (fermented chili paste) and doenjang (soy paste).

Which sauce is the king of all sauces? ›

Bechamel – a milk based sauce that is thickened with a roux (clarified butter and flour). This sauce is named after its creator Louis XIV's steward, Louis de Béchamel. Considered the king of all sauces, and often called a cream sauce because of its consistency, this sauce is most often used in all types of dishes.

What is the most famous dipping sauce? ›

Tomato ketchup

Tomato ketchup doesnt need much of an introduction seeing as it is considered the most popular dipping sauce around the world.

What do they serve with Korean BBQ? ›

Lettuce or perilla leaves. Garnishes like sliced garlic, scallions, and toasted sesame seeds. Banchan (small side dishes). Types of banchan include kimchi, marinated veggies, spicy cucumbers, bean sprouts, and sautéed spinach.

What are Korean BBQ garnishes? ›

Common Korean garnishes to have available at your party include: fresh green Korean chilies, sliced garlic cloves, scallions, toasted sesame seeds, lime, beet juice, soy sauce, sriracha, and more.

Is Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce a dipping sauce? ›

Our Original BBQ Sauce is next level for marinating, dipping or as an awesome cooking ingredient, but not just for ribs, hot dogs and burgers. This sweet and smokey blend is the only answer for making any dish the boss.

Is Korean BBQ sauce the same as bulgogi sauce? ›

Bulgogi sauce, a type of Korean BBQ sauce, boasts a complex, slightly sweet yet umami flavor profile.

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